GH3 Is the 35-100mm Necessary for Video? Or is it even worth it paying for the price?

J

Jonathan L Roberts

Active member
Hey, I'm looking to buy the 35-100mm 2.8 for my Gh3. I was wondering is it worth it? Why I'm asking this is, because I'm going to start doing videography services again this year and I want a 1-3 camera set-up ( using a go pro as a wider shot with my main cameras being A & B set-ups ). Looking to invest in many other things for interviews, etc etc. Has anyone had any good performance video wise with this lens? I know it's very expensive and I'm not going to go through the hassle of getting FD lenses THAN getting adapters for Canon EF & FD lenses. Last question. Should I get the Rokinon 12mm 2.0 for m43 lens or the 12-35 Panasonic lens? Thank you.
 
Yes, folks have had good video results with that lens. Some haven't. Rent one and see if it works for you.
 
I always purchase local if the price is within 10-15% of grey imports. The reward needs to be suitably substantial for me to take on that type of risk. Having said that I ordered my 35-100mm f/2.8 from China via ebay and received a perfect copy that I couldn't be happier with. It was AU$300 cheaper than the best I could source locally.
 
If you are a GH- fill in the blank shooter, it's close to being a must have IMO. I've upgraded the firmware in mine. Are the micro jitters still there? According to some, maybe. Frankly, it's not a lense I would shoot handheld video with unless I was between a rock and hard place anyway. I use mine to shoot the majority of interviews. I'm quite happy with it.
 
I have the Panasonic trio, and it works well for me. It depends on what you want. Do you need AF of some kind? Do you need them to be small? Will you be using a follow focus?
 
yslee said:
I have the Panasonic trio, and it works well for me. It depends on what you want. Do you need AF of some kind? Do you need them to be small? Will you be using a follow focus?
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Yes. I'll be using it on a rig, but I've notice the gh3 is really small. I might have to get a battery grip to add weight. Never knew it'd be this small. I won't go into the hassle of renting it though, but I might do that for the 12-35 before purchasing. All and all, good reviews on this lens.
 
The CPM Bulldog rig looks front heavy so doubt you'll want a battery grip. It will likely raise your len's axis above industry standards, but again not sure if that's already an issue with the Bulldog. Seems many GH4 users don't worry about such problems anyways & use height adjustable gear to circumvent the issue.

I typically don't suggest buying Grey Market becquse the items won't be covered by local warranty. I have purchased a lens from Digital Rev on one occasion because it's release in the USA was delayed, but they offer a warranty service that requires shipping it back to them.
 
Bern Caughey said:
The CPM Bulldog rig looks front heavy so doubt you'll want a battery grip. It will likely raise your len's axis above industry standards, but again not sure if that's already an issue with the Bulldog. Seems many GH4 users don't worry about such problems anyways & use height adjustable gear to circumvent the issue.

I typically don't suggest buying Grey Market becquse the items won't be covered by local warranty. I have purchased a lens from Digital Rev on one occasion because it's release in the USA was delayed, but they offer a warranty service that requires shipping it back to them.
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I'll probably check out B&H. Always had good service with them. You mention the bulldog rig. Well, I'm a tall guy (6'6'' ), so the bulldog rig works well with me, rather than looking down with it on top of my shoulder. Ether that or get the Lanparte bulldog rig set-up, which would cost around 1,000 dollars+, but the same design. So I don't have a problem with it being it below my shoulder.
 
If you're going to be rigging it up with something like that, I don't see the point of having the 35-100. It's focus by wire, and its advantage of small size is gone with a rig like that.
 
yslee said:
I have the Panasonic trio, and it works well for me. It depends on what you want. Do you need AF of some kind? Do you need them to be small? Will you be using a follow focus?
Click to expand...
I'm assuming the 12-35 and 35-100 mm lenses are two of the trio is the 7-14mm the third lens?

Thanks

DFP
 
Yes, the third is the 7-14. My work is still mostly stills, with a smattering of video, so the 7-14 is a very useful lens.
 
I was thinking about getting the 35-100, but then the FZ-1000 came out and I think that will serve me better (2nd body, focal length, decent video performance, $400 cheaper).
 
yslee said:
If you're going to be rigging it up with something like that, I don't see the point of having the 35-100. It's focus by wire, and its advantage of small size is gone with a rig like that.
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Yeah, that's what I said. It's rather small and if I get a battery grip, It'd look a bit bigger. There's no other bulldog rigs around, so I'm going to go with all I can get. Lanparte was a good option, but really expensive. Plus the rig is future proof for other cameras that might come in the future, so I'm on the safe side as of right now.
 
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